Knowledge Scars is an eclectic tapestry of machine rhythms, cello and piano, classically trained vocals, samples... Strange and challenging, it's alien unfamiliarity can suddenly mutate into something safe and domestic, perhaps seen from a new angle - like a magic eye picture, an aural squint pulls it together, a lapse of thought and it's gone again. -Gothvodka

I'm not at all surprised that people might be raving about this debut by Erica Mulkey who tricked people at the university she attended, for she has a persuasive way about her. They saw her lugging her cello dutifully around and thought to themselves, isn't it nice that young people care about the old ways, when by night she was up to her nostrils in toxic waste, chopping down hard on Strontium B discharge, and scheming for the future.

Knowledge Scars is an impressive debut release from Erica Mulkey, an independent solo artist from California that under the appellation Unwoman has released a darkly erotic and thought-provoking collection of songs. Erica expresses her instrumental prowess as an accomplished vocalist, cellist, and keyboardist. Her style ranges from a kind of experimental trip hop to swirling darkwave atmosphere with just enough static and noise to give it that extra technical punch. Not to mention the use of cello with sensual synthetic rhythms, placing her comfortably in league with such artists as Sunday Munich. This is, to be noted, not a directly smooth ride of ‘pretty’ atmospherics however – there are moments of unorthodox experiment and strange electronic goofiness that will appeal to those who prefer a few manic jars along their musical journeys. These moments are arranged well, and come naturally, never seeming contrived or placed for the sake of it. -Matthew Heilman